Steam Sterilization Expert | Joel Schafer

Sterilization cycles are broken down into different phases that are monitored during validation. The phases in chronological order are Conditioning, Heat Up, Exposure, Exhaust, and Drying. The Conditioning phase is where the autoclave replaces the air inside the chamber with saturated steam. This is done through a series of vacuums and pressurizations and injection of…

Because there are no regulations that address in-chamber autoclave validations, the answer would technically be yes you can. What I can tell you from my own experience is that only validating one would be a mistake. I have personally experienced, on multiple occasions, a situation where identical autoclaves that were fed steam from the same…

The technicians who service and repair autoclaves perform many essential tasks that keep our autoclaves functioning and are vital resources for sterile processing technicians. Not only do they repair the autoclaves when they are broken, but they also help prevent downtime by performing preventative maintenance inspections on the thousands of components that make up autoclaves…

Steam, the gaseous state of water, is formed when water is heated until it begins to boil. If it is heated beyond the boiling point, the steam becomes “dry” and as it cools below the boiling point, it condenses back to water. Steam must remain in motion in order to remain in its gaseous state….

AAMI ST79:2017 3.3.3.3 speaks to the requirements of each hospital’s Facilities Engineering department, stating that they must test AND document that the steam saturation percentages and non- condensable gasses are within specified parameters. You could always ask to see that documentation. In addition, you might also inquire as to what they do to treat the…